What is dextrin? What are its classifications and functions

What is dextrin?
Cyclodextrin is a cyclic substance composed of several glucose molecules and is a commonly used functional food additive. Due to its circular structure and sugar reactivity, cyclodextrin has a series of special chemical, biological, and physical properties, and is widely used in industries such as food, medicine, and cosmetics.
Classification of dextrins
1. Dietary dextrin
Dietary dextrin is a functional food ingredient produced from starch as raw material. Dietary dextrin is mainly used to increase viscosity, stability, regulate taste, and improve processability. Dietary dextrins can be divided into different types such as alpha dextrins, beta dextrins, and gamma dextrins, and the application scope of different types of dextrins is also different.
2. Pharmaceutical dextrin
Pharmaceutical dextrin is a solid dosage form excipient that can be used as a carrier for an extract. Through the processing technology of the extract, drugs and pharmaceutical dextrin are mixed and made into various dosage forms, such as granules, capsules, oral disintegrating tablets, etc. Pharmaceutical dextrin increases the stability and bioavailability of drugs through encapsulation or adsorption, and can also improve the taste and sensation of medication.
The function of cyclodextrin
1. Increase viscosity and stability
Adding dietary dextrin to food can increase its viscosity, make it thicker, enhance its texture, improve its taste, and improve its fluidity. Pharmaceutical dextrin can increase the viscosity of drugs, making them easier to form solid dosage forms such as granules and capsules, which helps to stabilize drug quality.
2. Adjust the taste
Dietary dextrin can enhance the taste of food and regulate its sour, sweet, bitter and other flavors. At the same time, it can also control the aroma in food and maintain the longevity of the fragrance. Pharmaceutical dextrin also has a similar effect, which can improve the taste and sensation of medication.
3. Improve bioavailability
Pharmaceutical dextrin can encapsulate drugs, improve their stability, enhance their bioavailability, and make their efficacy more significant. At the same time, it can also reduce the contact between drugs and stomach acid, alleviate irritation, and have a significant protective effect on the gastrointestinal tract.
In short, cyclodextrin is an important functional food additive and pharmaceutical excipient. It plays an important role in increasing viscosity, stability, regulating taste, and improving bioavailability.